The helpful beacon of direction for lost tourists, the signpost of ‘it’s-5am-that-kebab-won’t-save-you-now-just-go-home‘, and all-around wonderfully iconic light fixture ‘the Kings Cross Coca-Cola Sign‘, has officially been removed for renovation purposes (more on that later), but it hasn’t left us empty-handed.
The last of the sign’s red-and-white panels were stripped from their scaffolding this week to reveal a mural that was kept hidden for decades, leaving Sydney-dwellers baffled.
Hang on a second… Something’s missing… #kingscross #coke @CocaColaAU pic.twitter.com/zIzK17mDez
— Henry Kalaf (@henrykalaf) July 15, 2015
Andrew Woodhouse, the president of the Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society, had absolutely no idea the image was there, nor who created it, but told The Daily Telegraph he believes the mural dates back to the 1970s.
Not even the local council knew what the Coke sign was hiding for 40-odd years. A spokesperson for the City of Sydney stated:
“The City was unaware of the markings on the support wall and has been advised by Coca-Cola that they will be undisturbed during the restoration work.”
For those fretting about the disappearance of the iconic light source: the sign WILL be back after a facelift that allegedly includes being fitted with halogen lights for environmental reasons, as an inside source told P.TV.
A temporary poster will be put up while we wait for the new era of cola-related advertising in the ~once-great~ (cheers, Barry O’Farrell) party district.
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